FC Rotor Volgograd - History

History

The team name is a reference to the Dzherzinsky Tractor Works, once a major producer of tractors, and the scene of heavy fighting during the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.

Rotor was the last champion of the old USSR Second Division, in 1991, thus forming the new Russian Top Division after the USSR collapsed.

In mid-1990s, Rotor was one of the strongest clubs in Russia, rivalling with Spartak Moscow for the championship, yet never winning it. Rotor became the league runners-up in 1993 and 1997. They also enjoyed some success at the European stage, having eliminated Manchester United from the UEFA Cup in 1995.

In 2000s, Rotor's results came into a decline, and in 2004, the team finished last in the Russian Premier League. The following winter Rotor was denied professional licence, and chose not to participate in the amateur competitions.

However, Rotor's former B-team, Rotor-2 Volgograd, spent 2005 season in the Russian Second Division. On January 12, 2006, Rotor-2 was renamed Rotor.

In early 2009, there were fears that Rotor can go bankrupt very soon, and another club was founded that was originally supposed to be called FC Rotor. However, Rotor survived at that moment, and that new club had to rename itself to FC Volgograd.

FC Rotor Volgograd were excluded from the Russian Second Division on August 4, 2009 due to financial problems. They have played 18 games and were in the 13th position with 21 points.

On February 8, 2010, it was announced that FC Volgograd, will be renamed to FC Rotor Volgograd for 2010 and, pending licensing, will play in the Russian First Division. The club was relegated back to the third-level Second Division after the 2010 season. In 2011/12 season, it won their Second Division zone and was promoted to the second level once again.

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